OUTDOOR biking v. INDOOR biking
Ok I know that to some accident prone riders this seems like a rather simple decision. Of course you are going to choose the safety of a non-moving, bolted in one spot, indoor gym bike over an outdoor ride, but I ask that you set your fears aside for a moment. Take a second to remember: the musky smell inside your gym; showing up to your preferred bike to realize that Super Sweaty Steve was just on it and did'nt wipe it down; and Perfect Body Peggy still complaining about her weight to the trainer. Ohhh and lets not forget the random yelling from the back of the gym where the enormous lifters are apparently trying too lift the weight of small African elephants, just for fun. Now that your are starting to see the light, let me explain why bikes were originally created to be an outdoor activity, and should remain that way.
1. Body Health:
Lets start with the exercise that it provides, which is inexplicably beneficial to your heart, and health general, as well as your mid-section fat collector... blah blah blah. We have heard this everywhere, in this exercise crazed society that we live in that revolves around the perfect body image. Yes I get it, I have to eat vegetables all day and exercise one hour for every bite I chew. But what does outdoor vs. indoor have to do with exercise? Isn't it biking regardless of the atmosphere? Well, there is much more to health than your mid-section and thighs! Mental health affects your body also. Exposure to sunlight increases the level of serotonin, which a self made "feel good" chemical and can reduce the chances of depression later in life. Our bodies NEED sun, and tanning beds don't count..Jersey Shore cast! So after spending all day at work, under florescent lighting, and under the glow of you computer screen, go out and get some sun while you burn those cheetos calories off! You are going to thank me later, and so will your perfect tan!
2. Scenery
If you weren't won over with the mental health factor (because thats really not important right?!), you can't deny this one. There is nothing inspiring about riding your bike, trying to reach your goal, and having to inevitably stare at the backside of the person riding in front of you. Especially when it's one of those older folks that are in denial of "Father Time" and still wearing some vintage (probably new when they bought them) skin tight leggings from the early 1900's. Although it's inspiring that they are in the gym, it's not a really inspiring sight, directly in front of you, as you gasp to meet that pivotal point in your ride to break a personal record. Inspiring: is a long beach ahead, beautiful weather, bright sun with a slight breeze, to motivate you to keep pushing yourself. Or maybe a ride alongside a gorgeous mountains, with a view of the highest peak reaching the clouds. Yesss, much better than cellulite trapped in spandex begging for an escape route. I mean unless you like that sort of stuff...
3. As if you need any more convincing...its all about the company you keep!
An outdoor bike ride can be romantic, or family friendly too. There is no romance in rigid atmosphere of a gym, with the stench blocked in by the four walls, but romance can be captured in many outdoor scenarios and included in any bike ride. Even planning a "health conscious" picnic would be a great end to energetic or relaxing romantic bike ride. Secondly, if you have a family you know that gyms are not very children friendly. Well, I must say, some try to be, and allow you to dump your child in a 4x4 room with a teenage babysitter whose eyes and thumbs cant work fast enough to text her whole high school. But, if thats not for you, the options are limited for children and exercise, together. A nice bike ride through a trail, preferably commercially built (for safety reasons) is a much better idea. This will also instill some ideas about exercise in your children, which is a great addition to the video games. It will become family time and exercise time in one, allowing you more free time to do what you really enjoy. Like catching up with my blog =)
Biking outside is not even comparable to the unrewarding experience of biking in a gym. Bikes were made for outdoor fun and exercise, and it should be kept just for that. Just because gyms have bikes indoors doesn't mean we have to conform to their suggestions! Go outside and ride your bike!
There is no question here that low tech (bike and nature) has clearly succeeded over high tech (exercise bike machine).
